Sounders get optimistic draw for Champions League

The 2012 CONCACAF Champions League draw took place today in New York City and the Seattle Sounders FC has to be happy with their grouping.

Placed in group four, the Sounders will face Honduran side Marathon and a yet to be determined qualifier from the caribbean.

After advancing to the quarterfinals in last year’s tournament before falling to Santos Laguna of Mexico, Seattle breezed through the group stages finishing second in what were then four team groups behind former champion Monterey.

The first round of group stage matches will take place between July 31 and August 2. Times and dates for Seattle’s first match are yet to be determined.

Also unlike previous years where the top two teams will advance to the knockout stages, with the new three-team groups, only the champion will advance. Once the eight group winners have been determined, the knockout stage seeding will be based on results from the group stages, meaning that the best group stage performer will face the worst.

We will have more on the Sounders run through the 2012 CONCACAF Champions League as the draw comes out in coming weeks.

About The Author

Madison McCord

Madison is the Digital Media Producer at the Yakima Herald-Republic. Originally from Spokane, Madison is a die-hard Seattle Sounders FC and USMNT fan. Along with loving soccer, he has an affinity for tacos and good bourbon — heck, even bad bourbon sometimes.